Taliban prevent women from attending universities in Afghanistan | Globalism

A message, confirmed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education, was sent to Afghan public and private universities to immediately suspend the entry of female students, according to a government decision.

The announcement of the Taliban government, which has not won international recognition, came at a time when the United Nations Security Council was meeting in New York to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Foreign governments, including the United States, have said women’s education policies need to change before formal recognition is considered by the Taliban government, which is also heavily punished.

“The Taliban cannot hope to be a legitimate member of the international community until it respects the rights of all Afghans, especially the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls,” Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the board. He described the move as “totally indefensible”.

UK Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward said the suspension was “another flagrant restriction of women’s rights and a deep disappointment for all school girls”.

“It is another step for the Taliban to move away from a self-sufficient and prosperous Afghanistan,” she told the council.

In March, the Taliban drew criticism from many foreign governments and some Afghans for backing away from signs that all secondary schools would open to girls.